Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. Over the course of her life, Dinah
has many different “mothers.” Discuss the differences or similarities
in her relationships with each woman.
2. Dinah's point of view is often that
of an observer. What effect does this have on the reader? On the
narrative?
3. Discuss the marital dynamics of Jacob's
family. He has four wives; compare his relationship with each woman.
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Childbirth and childbearing are paramount in The
Red Tent. Discuss the importance of childbearing in the
female characters' lives.
2. The novel follows Dinah from childhood to old age.
How does she change and mature, and what lessons does she learn from
life?
3. Female relationships are prevalent in The
Red Tent. Discuss the importance of Inna, Werenro, and
Meryt.
4. There is no historical account of whether Dinah ever
had children. Diamant gives her a son. Why do you think she chose
not to give Dinah a daughter?
5. While the red tent has been a custom of various peoples
in the world, it was not used by Dinah's people in her time. Why does
Diamant make it a prominent feature of her account of Dinah's life?
